Minister Madigan: The inscription of Hurling by UNESCO is a ‘wonderful opportunity to share cherished aspect of Irish culture with others’

Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Josepha Madigan has said that the inscription of Hurling and Camogie on a UNESCO Representative List is a ‘wonderful opportunity to share a cherished aspect of Irish culture with others’.
The decision was made during the thirteenth session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in Port Louis, Republic of Mauritius.

Over six days, the twenty-four States Members of the Committee, elected by the General Assembly of the 2003 Convention, discussed a number of issues that are important for the safeguarding of living heritage around the world.

Ireland ratified the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2015. The Convention was established to ‘safeguard, appreciate, and raise awareness of cultural heritage locally, nationally, and internationally’.

Living heritage

Intangible cultural heritage, or living heritage, refers to ‘customs, traditions, crafts, games, and practices that are part of people’s lives and identities both individually and as part of wider communities, and that are passed on from generation to generation’.

The submission for this inscription was led by the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in partnership with the GAA and the Camogie Association. Inscribed in 2018 (13.COM) on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity on 29 November 2018, Ireland’s nomination of Hurling was approved.

The paragraph on the UNESCO site states:

“Hurling or Camogie is a field game played by two teams… dates back 2,000 years and features strongly in Irish mythology… Today, the skills are promoted and transmitted through coaching and games in schools and clubs. As the custodians of Hurling, the Gaelic Athletic Association and the Camogie Association, both volunteer-led organizations, play a central role in transmitting the skills and values associated with Hurling.”

Hurling, which is used to denote the entire game, including camogie, as played by men, women and children, is Ireland’s second inscription on the Representative List. Ireland’s first nomination, Uilleann Piping, was officially inscribed in 2017.

At an event in Croke Park on 29 November 2018, Minister Madigan said Hurling is a ‘key element of Irish culture’.

Hurling (Pic: InsideIreland.ie)

GAA President John Horan said:

“The decision of UNESCO to award the prestigious Intangible Cultural Heritage status to the game of hurling is yet another high point in what has been a quite exceptional 2018 for the game. Coming on the back of what was yet another exceptional summer of Championship hurling, this UNESCO award is international recognition for our native game and an acknowledgement of its cultural, social and sporting importance to the People of Ireland. It reaffirms the fact that Hurling is more than just a sport. It is a national treasure; an ancient tradition that connects us to our Celtic past and a part of our DNA.”

Kathleen Woods, President of the Camogie Association said it is a great honour for Camogie to receive the ‘prestigious international recognition’ which illustrates the ‘integral role which Hurling and Camogie play in Irish life and the great history associated with our games’.

“We’re committed to supporting the Camogie Association and women in sport in Ireland, and our €2.5 million investment in sponsorship, campaigns, research and events over the next 3 years is testament to this.

“There is a need for increased focus on women in sport. We have made significant progress in this space, but there is more to do. Our ambition over the coming years is to raise the profile and recognition of women in sport, and drive participation and engagement.”

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